Everyone has a comfort zone or a “confidence zone.” A comfort zone is the place in which we feel the most confident. It’s the place where all is well. For many, it’s the difference between true success and average success or doing just enough to get by.

Boundaries:

I believe a person’s comfort zone is determined by two fears: fear of rejection and fear of failure. The distance between the two is what makes up the comfort zone. We have to remember that everyone fails from time to time; just remind yourself that it’s not fatal, just temporary. The wider the space, the greater the capacity we’ll have to succeed and try new things. We can then attempt and achieve more. The less space between the two, the more we limit our abilities and potential.

Out of the box:

In a large zone, we feel the safest and the most confident. If you take people higher, they will work to get back to the place where they are the most comfortable. If you take them lower, they will do the same. People with a wide comfort zone will think in terms like, “What if I can?” Those that are average and limit themselves think in terms of, “What if I can’t?” There’s a big difference.

Let’s try not to limit ourselves by being average. If we strive to grow and develop in this area, the sky’s the limit.

Just a thought,

PSS

Psychology developed what is called the humanistic perspective, in which human nature is viewed as basically good.

Humanism:

This is the philosophy that rules over our Western society. The world’s philosophy is creating a world that continually is getting more and more selfish. This philosophy is in direct contrast to the word of God.

Human nature:

The Bible teaches us that human nature is sin nature. Matthew 15:19: For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. Another verse adds coveting, wickedness, deceit, envy, pride — all these evil things come from within.

God’s way:

God says our nature is not good, and the only way to truly change that is by accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior and inviting God into your heart and mind to change this selfish human nature. Only God can do that. Only God can satisfy our spiritual hunger. Nothing else the world seeks can — not power, money, success, nor individualism.

See, if you adopt the humanistic philosophy of life, there is no need for a savior — no need for God. This type of thinking is creating a very selfish mentality: thinking only about me — where God says to die to self and begin to take on His characteristics.

Your choice what philosophy you choose to live by. One leads to eternal death, and one leads to eternal life — you choose.

Just a thought,

PSS

How we think about ourselves, our family life, our work life, etc., is very important.

Our mindset:

It will determine our success or failure and how much we are willing to attempt and accomplish in life. It will determine the health and welfare of our families and all of our relationships. Our self-concept will determine whom we associate with.

A self-defeating mindset:

It will limit us in all of these areas. People with this line of thinking will continue in a cycle of bitterness, depression, anger, cynicism, and low self-esteem. They will always be overwhelmed and refuse any help so that they can do it themselves. They’ll say things like: “I’ve done too many bad things for God to forgive me.” This person self-sabotages because they devalue their life.

Remedies:

Here are some ways to defeat self-defeat:

• Complete something like a project, so you can think better of yourself and let go of bitterness and a critical spirit.
• Be able to identify this pattern of thinking immediately and recognize the symptoms so that you can begin to humble yourself and seek help.
• Allow God to heal your hearts and minds, and realize you are valuable and you do have worth.

Ask God to begin to heal you and help you to become a person who believes in yourself, and to realize that, by the sacrifice of Jesus, He has made you worthy to receive good things.

Just a thought,

PSS

We live in a society today that is “all about me” — what is best for me, what is in it for me? We tend to be faithful to ourselves and our needs.

Definitions of:

Faithful is defined as loyal, constant, and steadfast; true to the facts or the original; devoted. Faithfulness is the quality of being stable, dependable. This is a quality that will help us move forward in life, understanding how important it is in our relationships with God and others.

Practice of:

Faithfulness to God, to our work, to our relationships, is at times very difficult. We tend to lose our patience with God, thinking He is just a blessing machine, and when we do not get what we want, we leave Him. Yet faithfulness is the fruit that we give to God so He can change us, inside and out.

To develop faithfulness means we can’t be moved when things don’t go our way: no matter what, we practice keeping our word, we practice not being moved by our feelings, but by what is right. God is not just a blessing machine — He is God, and we are to serve and honor Him because of who He is, not what He can do for us.

Let’s be more faithful — true to our word and our commitments to God, to our work, and to our relationships. Let’s be people whom God and others can depend on.

Rewards of:

Faithfulness — the quality that sets us apart from others and allows God to truly help and bless us.

Faithful to the end!

Just a thought,

PSS

Shortcuts can cause you lots of pain, and successful people avoid the trap of taking shortcuts.

Selfish or selfless?

At times, taking shortcuts is a sign of being lazy or not thinking of anyone else but yourself. In order to be successful people, we should purpose to do things right. For example, when going to a grocery store and wheeling the basket to unload into your car, do you take the extra moment to put the shopping cart back into the bin, or do you just leave it out? Do you purpose to leave each person, each place, better than when you found it?

Faithful in little, faithful in much:

See, how we do the small things is a reflection of how we do the big things. Going into a public bathroom and seeing toilet paper all over the floor, and pee all over the seat, I often think, What kind of people do this, leave there, knowing someone else will be using it? It always annoys me.

Do right or do over?

Here is what I know: successful people think of others and understand that taking shortcuts will cost you in the long run. Doing things right, even if it takes you a little longer, will be better for you and save you time in the future. Doing things right just means giving a little more effort. Don’t be the person always looking to cut corners, always looking for loopholes to justify your actions. There seems to be a good excuse for almost anything you do. But it is not worth it.

Learn to be more successful by doing things right — taking a little extra time to think about others as well as yourself.

Just a thought,

PSS